Reviews of best practices on Proxibid.com

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We shudder every time we hear that an auctioneer is using United Parcel Service to ship coins. Patronize whomever you like, of course, and this is only our opinion, but it is an informed opinion as a numismatist with 50 years experience. The United States Post Office has never, NEVER, lost one of our parcels for coins for decades. During that time, two insured shipments were lost; we filed only on tracking number, and found them in a day.

Shipping matters. We patronize two auction houses regularly that take weeks to package and ship coins using UPS. One of those auctions concluded on Sept. 22, and we still haven’t received the shipment. That’s unacceptable, and shipping considerations will be included in our next rankings.

If you want to learn about the benefits of shipping, and how it can bring you more customers, contact Eddie Caven at Key Date Coins or Rick Howard at SilverTowne. They advertise sending coins in 2 business days, but they typically send in one with receipts and tracking numbers and updates. And they use USPS and not (drop the parcel on your front porch or give to a neighbor or just mark delivered and go on your way) carriers.

Anyone charging over 15% buyer’s premium and taking weeks to send coins using carriers other than USPS should really revisit their business plans. You are costing bidders money and services.

And as for Proxibid, a shipping badge is fine. Quick shipping is even better. USPS shipping more so. When it comes to shipping, eBay has it all over Proxibid because eBay has a feedback loop and all Proxibidders have is this blog and our rankings, which are more informative to numismatists and hobbyists about the real work and value of certain houses.

Shipping is important, the last contractual obligation you have in a typical sale. First impressions count: that’s the catalog. But last impressions, shipping, counts more.

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2 thoughts on “”

To be blunt… UPS sucks, in general. We have used them to ship our online auctions – not just coins, but pottery, small items, etc. We have received more complaints about boxes left in the rain, in the snow, tossed over gates than ANY other service.

We use USPS on EVERY coin shipment we have. We got burned with Parcel Post – trying to save the bidders a few dollars – when the packages got lost and were not able to be found. So, now we ship First Class for small lots or Priority Mail for remainder.

Insurance is a must – if nothing else, the auctioneer should add delivery confirmation as a backup to make sure the package did indeed arrive where it was supposed to.

We ship day of auction or the next day – we are constantly rotating our gallery, so we do our best to get the items out as quickly as possible. Thus limiting liability for a coin inadvertently moved to another auction.

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ALL TIME FAVORITE SELLERS:

NOTE: Auction houses in our top rankings do not see maximum bids or allow bidding by auctioneers or their employees. All rankings are based on Proxiblog buying experience to establish informed opinion. Your online experience may differ from ours or these reviews.

1. Capitol Coin Auctions25 points. One of the most professional coin houses on the portal and, in our opinion, one of the top sellers on Internet. Low buyer’s fee, 15%. Consignments are among the best, and owners write accurate lot descriptions that are of PCGS accuracy. Great photos, too--among the best on Proxibid. More than 35 years in the business. Hosts only a half dozen sessions per year, but each is an event with coins from estates. Never overlook this house on Proxibid.
2. Weaver Signature Coin and Currency Auction 25 points. Weaver Signature Coin and Currency Auction. Detailed photography. Best innovation. Top online advertisements. Numismatic descriptions. Low or tiered buyer's fees. Runs budget-saver auctions. Highly competitive, innovative. Provides detailed receipts for both buyers and sellers. Very responsive. See "On the Block" entry for more information. Usually ships within 3-4 days.
3. Fox Valley Coins24.5 points. One of our favorite Proxibid houses. Excellent consignments. This is the place where the best buys on the portal can be had if the bidder knows numismatics. We are excited to participate in each auction because of the vast array of key dates, varieties and rarities. Schedules only a few mega-auctions per year on Proxibid, but each one is an event! Now accepts credit cards. Photography greatly improved, which makes up for the lack of numismatic descriptions. Buyer’s premium is 18%.
4. SilverTowne Auctions24.5 points. Exceeds basic criteria in both buying and consignor categories. Among best coin grading and descriptions on Proxibid. Top consignment policy for rare coins. Timed auctions offer great bargains with good selections. Accepts returns on counterfeit coins or if error made in description. Among fastest shippers on Proxibid using numismatic packing. Usually ships within 1-2 days.
5. Leonard Auction24.5 points. Among the best consignments on Proxibid, and for good reason, too. John Leonard's policies of 0% seller's fee for lots that bring $250 or more ensures top numismatic items. Completely thorough lot descriptions. Quick shipping. Professional customer service. For more about this reputable house, see this "On the Block."6. Jewelry Exchange24.5 points. A long-standing reputable auction house featuring regular coin consignments, including gold, US and World coins (and on occasion Ancients) with 15% buyer’s premium, great customer service and quick shipping. Photography adequate; lot descriptions, accurate. See the company’s “On the Block” by clicking here.7. Krueger and Krueger Auction24.5 points. Kurt Krueger is a seasoned numismatist who conducts exemplary auctions on Proxibid. This house also is innovative and understands the importance of the online audience. Of particular note is his accurate lot descriptions. He’s not afraid to say “Hogwash” to bottom-tier alleged grades, and we love him for that.
8. Back to the Past Collectibles24.5 points. 10% online buyer’s fee. Excellent photos. Quick shipping. Auctioneer C. Scott Lovejoy has made significant improvements and secured fine consignments. We admire houses like his that aim to please the online bidder! Rapidly becoming one of the top coin auctions on Proxiblog.
9. Star Coin and Currency24.5 points. One of the best timed auctions on the portal. Keeps improving. Yet another company that pays attention to customer service. Sharp photography. Numismatic descriptions. Inexpensive, fast shipping.
10. Meares Auction24.5 points. Charges 5% online buyer's fee for coins. See this article for Darron Meares' innovations. Improved photography. Courteous customer service. Ships reasonably and quickly. Knows coins. One of the longest Proxibid sellers and top auction house; nationally recognized as leader in industry.
11. Kaufman Realty and Auctions 24.5 points. Kaufman Realty features strong consignments, fair photos, numismatic lot descriptions and regular coin auctions. 15% buyer’s fee makes looking here a must. Shipping time is improving. Always worth the wait.
12. McKee Coin Auction24.5 points. Charges 20% buyer's premium and doesn’t use APN, but gives 5% cash discount and uses PayPal. Consignments are improving, and photography is vastly improved. We know Owen McKee and are pleased that he is sharing his vast numismatic knowledge in his descriptions. You can also find the unexpected in his two-day 1500+ marathons, including Canadian coins. Shipping is reasonable but charges $1 per lot handling fee.
For other companies meeting basic criteria, click here.

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